I woke the next morning as the smell of bacon tickled my nose hairs. Breakfast must be almost ready. I stretched slowly and then rolled out of bed to head downstairs. I found my dad and Xavier waiting patiently at the table while my mom put the finishing touches on breakfast. It looked like pancakes, bacon and fried potatoes.

I took a seat beside Xavier and returned his smile, joining them in waiting impatiently for breakfast to be done. It didn't take long. Only about five minutes and my mom was placing the steaming pans of food on the potholders in front of us and taking a seat next to my dad to eat with us. We all scrambled to fill our plates with food and grabbed silverware to dig in. My mom made the best breakfast.

When we'd all gotten a good start on our food and were becoming more satiated, conversation began. "Ceci, your father and I will be running errands for most of the day. You and Xavier will have the house to yourselves."

I nodded in understanding. "Okay. Jackson is coming to pick me up around ten or eleven, though. I'm going to his house for a while today."

"How's that boy behaving?" my dad asked me, looking up from his food.

"Very good, daddy," I assured him, wanting to roll my eyes. He could beat Jackson on the protectiveness meter and that was saying something.

"I've been keeping an eye on him for you, Uncle John," Xavier added reassuringly. "He's behaving so far. I'll give him the beat down for you if anything changes."

My mom and I rolled our eyes, but my dad was pleased, nodding and smiling in approval. "Thank you, Xavier. I'm counting on you to teach that boy any lessons that he may need to learn concerning Cecilia."

I sighed, shaking my head as I went back my food. I was resigned to the fact that they were actually going to discuss this during breakfast. My mom and I did our best to ignore them as they discussed what Jackson was and was not allowed to say, do or touch, and the appropriate punishments for specific offenses that would get them sent to jail if they were ever actually executed. My mom and I only exchanged a few looks, but otherwise successfully stayed out of their conversation for the rest of breakfast.

When we were all done eating, we carried our dishes to the kitchen and rinsed them before putting them in the dishwasher and then my parents left for their day of errands. Xavier and I took ourselves into the living room and found a random movie on HBO for background noise as we relaxed and waited for Jackson to come pick me up. We were supposed to be discussing Bane with Eli, Kaden and probably Ben as well.

"Did all the vampires enjoy the party last night?" I asked Xavier as I leaned against the arm of the couch to face him.

He nodded with a smile on his lips. "They all had a great time. They loved getting to know you and were speculating what you would be like as a vampire. They were pretty disappointed when I told them it probably wouldn't be happening."

I felt warm inside that they cared, and I grinned back at Xavier. "They'll deal. I'll just have to be that little old lady that has a bunch of super 'young' friends." We both shared a laugh over the fact that they would all look decades younger than me, but actually be a century or two, some more, older than me. "So what time did you end up coming home last night?"

"Not until about two, actually," Xavier replied.

"What?" I exclaimed. The party had ended a little before midnight. "Why so late?"

Xavier's face became serious as his thoughts turned to whatever had happened last night and I felt worry naw at my insides. "There was a coven meeting at Fangs last night and I attended," he replied.

"What did they have a coven meeting at midnight for?" I asked in disbelief. I get that they're vampires and own a nightclub and all, but still. The club was closed last night and it's not like they were actually nocturnal as they had no problems walking about in the daylight.

"You," Xavier replied bluntly.

I stared at him with my mouth hanging open and my eyes wide. "Why would you guys have a meeting about me?" I asked him. I couldn't fathom why they would need to.

Xavier smiled a little at my confusion. "You're already a part of the coven, Ceci, whether you become a vampire or not. You're a dormant that actually went to Fangs and made an effort to get to know everyone. Maybe I haven't explained this well enough to you yet.

"Dormant vampires are protected in the vampire community, but only if they come to us. There are dormants that want nothing to do with the vampire side of their heritage and there are those who don't know about it. We leave them alone, to make their own choices. But when a dormant like you, comes to the coven all sweet and curious, everyone gets protective.

"The coven views you like a child, or a ward. They'll protect you with everything they have. They've inducted you into the coven, but because you don't have the extended life, speed, strength or healing abilities, our protective instincts towards you are stronger because we instinctually know that you can't defend yourself as well as we can."

I took a moment to absorb Xavier's explanation and then I realized what he was telling me. "You're saying that the coven held a meeting to discuss my situation with Bane last night?" I asked of him.

Xavier nodded. "That's exactly what we did. Everyone realizes that you've got Jackson and the pack looking out for you, but they were wondering if there was anything that they could do to help you as well. They wanted to wage an all out war against Bane, but I knew that there was no way Jackson would let us fight with the pack. They understood that, but they still want to find a way to help you and if they could, they'd gladly fight for you in any battle that may pop up in the future."

I was in awe that the group of fun-loving vampires that I'd met barely a month ago cared about me so much. I loved them all, but I hadn't expected them all to feel that way about me. The coven was so sweet and amazing that I could hardly believe it. I didn't understand the animosity between vampires and werewolves when they were essentially the same, just with different needs.

But, Xavier's explanation had also given me a great idea. It was an idea that Jackson wouldn't like at all, but if it could save lives, I didn't care how mad he got. "If there was a battle," I began, "and I really hope there won't be, you guys could just show up unannounced."

Xavier grinned and regarded me proudly. "I like the way you think, Cuz," he told me. "We already decided on that plan last night. Jerome wants us all, but me especially, to pay attention and be on the lookout in case a battle occurs. If it does, I'm supposed to alert the coven and we'll all show up to help."

I nodded in understanding, although I was still shocked that they had all gone to the trouble to create a plan to help me fight off a crazy werewolf. It only made me love them more.

"There was one thing that Jerome wanted me to ask you, and we all completely understand if you don't want to do it, but keep in mind that it will add protection for Jackson as well." He watched me with serious eyes as he waited for me to nod in understanding. I did and he continued. "If Jackson discusses anything about the battle with you, would you pass the information on? The fight will go much smoother if we know what's going on."

I agreed with him on that front, but there was one problem. "I'm not sure if Jackson will even discuss it with me, to be honest," I replied. "He's a little overprotective and doesn't like to worry me."

"I know that, but if he does, we really need some heads up. I can pick up on a lot, but I can't exactly follow you around when you go to the pack house. Even if you just pick up on any information from the other pack members."

I raised an eyebrow. "I feel like you're asking me to spy on my mate and his pack."

Xavier scrunched up his face but nodded. "I kind of am," he replied, sounding slightly apologetic. "But it's not like you're spying on them to hurt them, you'll actually be protecting them. If they decide to attack Bane, then having the coven fight with them will drastically drop the casualty rate."

"I'll keep you guys in the loop as much as I can," I told him. I knew that there was nothing I could do to help Jackson and the pack with this. I was well trained in self-defense, but I was only a human. Compared to their werewolf strength, I would be no help to them in a fight. Getting the coven there for backup was the only thing I could do to help protect them and I was going to do it. "I need you to promise me that you'll keep an eye on Jackson for me," I added.

"I'll do everything I can to keep him safe, Ceci," Xavier assured me. "We all will."

I nodded. I knew that they would, I just needed to say it out loud. "This is all assuming that there's going to be a battle," I told him. "Jackson and the pack might not want to outright attack Bane's pack, or Bane might attack without warning. If luck is on our side, Bane might just give up." I couldn't stop the hope that the last option would be true.

Xavier gave me a sad smile as he heard that hope in my voice. "I hate to say it, Ceci, but that's not likely to happen."

I sighed, looking down at my hands that were twisting in my lap. "I know," I answered. Xavier stilled my hands with one of his own and gave me a supportive smile when I looked up at him.

The doorbell rang, distracting us. Jackson was here and it was time to go to the pack and see how they wanted to handle Bane.

Xavier followed along behind me as I made my way to the door. Pulling it open, I found myself immediately swept into strong arms, sighing happily against Jackson's chest. "I missed you," he murmured in my hair as I hugged him back tightly.

"It's only been a night," I giggled.

"It was a night too long," he replied with a shrug and a dramatic sigh, making me laugh again.

I stood up on my tiptoes to give him a quick kiss. "I missed you, too."

Xavier stepped into the entry way and he and Jackson nodded to each other. "Keep an eye on her today, Jackson," Xavier ordered. "I don't want to hear about Bane getting through your pack again."

I felt Jackson bristle and I reacted quickly before he could reply. Xavier should know better than to bait him like that. "Everything will be fine, Xavier," I said sharply, giving him a disapproving look. "Let's just get to the pack house and get some things straightened out," I added, turning my attention back to my mate as I nudged him back towards the door. I waved quickly to Xavier and closed the door behind us.

Jackson chuckled as we walked down the pathway to his car. "You know, you didn't have to rush us out of there. I wasn't going to start a fight with your cousin."

I raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief. "No?" I asked, skeptically. He sure hadn't acted like he didn't want to start a fight.

"Nope. Xavier started that one, I was just going to finish it," he answered with a proud smile, looking very smug about his cute answer.

I could only sigh and shake my head. They had better learn to get along. They both just wanted to protect me and if they would put aside their differences and realize that, they'd get along just fine. I wished that the werewolves and vampires could realize that with a little effort from both sides, their prejudices could be forgotten. Their species weren't all that different.

I shook the thoughts out of my head for now and smiled at Jackson when he opened my door for me. I slid into the seat and he checked to make sure I was all the way in before he closed the door behind me and made his way to the driver's side. "Are you ready for your first pack meeting?" he asked me with a grin as he started the car.

I started at the term. "A pack meeting?" I asked him in shock. "I thought that we were just going to be with Eli, Kaden and your dad!"

He smirked at me. "Well, the first one is."

First one? What the hell was he talking about? "What do you mean, 'first one'?" I asked him. He had better be joking. I had only thrown on jeans and a t-shirt, thinking I was just going to be meeting with Eli, Kaden and Jackson's dad. If I had known that I'd be seeing the entire pack today I would have put on a skirt or at least a nicer shirt. Then again, the pack didn't really mind the first time.

Jackson just shrugged. "The first meeting will be in Eli's office with Eli, Kaden and my dad. After we figure out what we're going to do, we have to announce it to the pack so that they know what's going on as well."

I understood and nodded, but my stomach cramped with nerves. Yeah, the pack was all really cool and nice, but I'm still not a fan of large crowds. Not to mention, I didn't want to have to deal with this. I didn't want the pack to have to deal with Bane just because he was a maniac that couldn't seem to leave me alone.

"Is there going to be a big cookout like last time?" I asked.

Jackson nodded. "Most pack meetings are finished with dinner. It gives everyone time to socialize and have some fun. Most pack members love pack meetings just because of the dinners after."

"Makes sense to me," I told him with a grin. "Everyone loves food."

Jackson smiled at me sweetly and leaned over to kiss my cheek.

"Eyes on the road!" I yelled at him, pushing his face away and towards the windshield again.

He huffed, but grinned anyway. "Do I get a kiss when we get there then?" he asked.

I nodded. "If you get us there in one piece and keep your eyes on the road so that we don't crash and die, yes, I will give you a kiss."

He smiled happily, sitting up straighter in his seat and making it obvious that he was looking at the road and nowhere else. I could help rolling my eyes at him. He threw an arm around my shoulders and I decided to let that one slide. I liked his arm around me and as long as his other hand stayed firmly on the wheel, I wouldn't freak out about the arm around my shoulder. I could still feel the tingles and a feeling of safety when he was touching me.

I thought that they would fade with time, but if anything, they seemed to be getting stronger. I leaned into him arm as much as I could with the center counsel in the way and enjoyed the rest of the ride. I was definitely falling for Jackson Walker. It was even safe to say that I loved him. I wasn't ready to tell him yet, but I would.

When we pulled up to the pack house, Alice was waiting on the porch for us. "Ceci!" she yelled as soon as I stepped out of the car with my hand in Jackson's. "Did you know that Eli just sprung an entire pack meeting on me this morning? What am I going to feed everybody?" Her voice was a higher pitch than I had ever heard it and she seemed pretty distressed.

Luckily, I had an easy idea that should calm her down pretty quickly. "Order a couple pack members to start grilling," I told her. "Then sit back and supervise."

Alice visibly relaxed when my words sank in and she returned my sneaky grin with one of her own. "I like the way you think, woman. I'm going to do just that." And she was gone again, the door swinging shut behind her.

I laughed as I started to follow her, but I was pulled back by Jackson's firm grip on my hand. "You made me a promise in the car," he whispered as I leaned against his chest.

"Did I?" I asked him teasingly.

"Yes, you did," he replied, his face leaning closer to mine so that our foreheads were touching, our eyes only centimeters apart as we stared at each other. "I expect a delivery on that promise."

"Well, you did keep your eyes on the road for the rest of the drive. And we did arrive alive and in one piece." I could almost feel his smile as his eyes looked hopefully into mine. I tilted my head up slightly, capturing his lips with my own in a sweet kiss.

I pulled back after a couple of wonderful moments and smiled up at him. "Are you happy now?"

He grinned. "I am for now. You might need to cheer me up again later though."

I laughed and shoved him away from me as I started walking up to the pack house again. Jackson caught up quickly, taking my hand in his and kissing the back of it before swinging our hands between us.

"It wasn't very nice of Eli to spring all of this on Alice at the last minute," I commented as we walked through the door.

Jackson only shrugged. "It's not that big of a deal."

I raised my eyebrows, turning to face him. "Not a big deal? She has to feed your entire pack and she wasn't told until this morning! If I were her, Eli would be sleeping on the couch."

Jackson pulled me closer, staring straight into my eyes. "You're not her, and you're mine."

I patted his chest. "Yeah, yeah, I know, you caveman."

He gave me a look for the comment but pulled my hand gently to get us moving again. We headed through the center of the pack house, traveling back to Eli's office where he, Kaden and Ben were already waiting for us. We all greeted each other warmly and I got hugs from Eli and Ben.

"Let's all sit down and discuss the problem," Ben suggested, motioning to the chairs around the desk.

Eli took his seat behind the desk, shooting his dad a mock superior look, making me hide my smile behind my hand. The rest of us sat across from him on the other side of the desk. Well, I didn't get to choose a chair. Before I could sit down, Jackson kicked my chair away from the desk and sat down, pulling me into his lap. I wasn't going to complain, though; I had the best seat in the room.

"So, we have a problem," Eli started off. "Bane got past the entire pack twice in one day. You said he was at graduation?" he asked, looking at me.

I nodded in reply, shivering slightly as I remembered him smirking at me from the bleachers. Jackson rubbed my back gently and kissed the back of my neck, comforting me. I leaned back against his chest as Eli nodded and continued.

"And then he managed to get past the pack and the coven at the party on the beach. What I don't understand is how he keeps doing it. We were looking for him at graduation. I had the warriors actively searching for his scent through the entire ceremony."

"He could be using a scent masking spray," Ben said, a contemplative look on his face.

"Is that even possible?" Jackson asked, his hands clenching on my waist.

Ben nodded. "It's not very well known. Most people think that it's a myth, but you can find them. They're produced by witches, and witches don't like us much. Drabek would have had to make quite a deal to get a witch to make him some."

I started at the mention of witches, but after everything it really shouldn't have surprised me. It'd only been a couple of months and I'd already learned that werewolves were real and I was mated to one, then learned that vampires were real as well, my cousin being one of them, and I had the possibility of becoming one.

"So Bane has a spray to conceal his scent so that he can get around you guys and get to me," I summed up, processing the information out loud. Everyone in the room nodded in confirmation. "Is there a way for us to get around it?"